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Two's Company Befriending

Improving quality of life through friendship

 

A befriending scheme in partnership with Linking Lives UK. We want to stimulate and strengthen local churches by equipping them to engage in befriending relationships with isolated older people in their communities.

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We are not meant to be alone. We are made for human connection. This is evident in the negative effects that we see on people experiencing loneliness.
According to the Campaign to End Loneliness:

 

13

% of the UK feel lonely all the time.

15

cigarettes per day is a comparable health risk to loneliness.

26

% increase in risk of death to those experiencing loneliness.

64

% of lonely people are more likely to develop dementia.

~1000000

people in the UK over the age of 65 often feel lonely.

We also know that “God sets the lonely in families…”

…and we believe that He can use local churches to do just that. We hope that through this scheme we will be able to reach the most isolated, and bring hope and connection to older people experiencing loneliness to let them know that they are not forgotten.

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How does it work?

Referrals

We accept referrals from statutory organisations such as social workers, social prescribers, GP’s and community health practitioners, charities, friends and family members or self-referrals.

Our main criteria for admission to the scheme is for there to be clear evidence of social isolation and that our service is being requested by the person concerned. We regret that we are unable to arrange visits where there is a diagnosis of advanced dementia or certain mental health conditions.

Our service is available to adults aged 65 and older living within Edinburgh. We typically accept referrals in EH7, 11, 14 and 15, however we are temporarily closed for new referrals.

If you would like to be added to an email list to be notified when we are accepting new referrals again, or want further details, please email our Project Coordinator here.

Find Out More

Befriending

The role of a volunteer is to carry out a regular home visit or telephone call to an allocated ‘scheme member’ usually for one hour every one or two weeks. This contact is often a lifeline for those who are unable to leave their home very often, and who have little contact with others in the community.

The majority of our volunteers report that they have an extremely positive experience within their role and that they benefit from their experience as much as their allocated friend. We are keen to build on this mutual benefit and encourage all volunteers to look for opportunities to celebrate and honour the achievements and experiences of scheme members.

If you have any questions or want further details, please email our Project Coordinator here.

Become a Befriender

Find Out More

If you or your church are interested in participating in Two’s Company or would like more information, please contact our Project Coordinator, Naomi Amour – naomi@edinburghcitymission.org.uk Find Out More

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In partnership with Linking Lives UK. A Befriending Scheme for older people, by Edinburgh City Mission.

 

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Apply Now

Applications for this position are now closed.

Apply Now

An Open Hand Referral Application
This form may be used by support workers and other professionals to apply for gifts for families in Edinburgh from An Open Hand (we cannot accept self-referrals).

Our aim is to help the families that need it most. We would be grateful if you could ensure that families fall into an area of need listed below before applying. We won’t be able to accept applications out with the below criteria.

Criteria for application:

  • Families (both parents/carers) who are facing severe hardship because of job loss or benefit delays/interruptions and have no other means (e.g. savings) of helping their child celebrate their birthday
  • Families who have no recourse to public funds
  • Families facing unexpected bills/costs/debt repayments around the time of their child’s birthday which prevent them from buying their child a present.

We are keen to help as many families as we can through this project, whilst still ensuring that each individual child feels treasured and receives a gift they will delight in. We will evaluate the funding for each gift on a case by case basis according to the financial needs of the family, the age of the child and the funding available. A general rule of thumb is that we anticipate most gifts along with the family bag to be in the region of up to £45.

Please ensure this application is submitted at least two weeks before the first child’s birthday to ensure there is sufficient time to deliver to the family.

Applicant's Details

Parent/Carer's Details

Address
Address

Children's Details

To add more children's details, please click the Add button. To remove details, please click the Remove button.
plus Add minus Remove

Details of Application

Please give details of why you are applying for this family and what impact a present from An Open Hand may make.

N.B. - The more information you can give, the greater the chance your application will be accepted

An Open Hand Disclaimer

All the gifts given to parents/carers from An Open Hand are new, and in new working order.

Once the gifts are given to the parent/carer, it is their responsibility to check the item is suitable and safe for their child, in good condition and used according to the manufacturer’s advice.

An Open Hand will keep all details of this application protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

An Open Hand is not a business or trader and has no ongoing responsibility for the gifts, once given, and takes no responsibility for loss, damage or injury sustained from the gifts or their use.

  • I confirm I have read the above disclaimer to this child’s parent/carer and they understand and agree to it.
  • I also confirm the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, prior to the birthday, to discuss the gift and arrange a suitable time for delivery or collection.
  • I confirm that the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, after the birthday, to receive feedback about the gift delivery, as well as our wider service.

Disclaimer and GDPR

Disclaimer
GDPR Compliance
Once we receive your application, we aim to be in touch with you within 5 working days to let you know if your application is successful.

Many thanks for your application!

Edinburgh City Mission Gap Year


Gap Year

Section 1 - Personal Details

Address
Are you involved in any activity that might limit your availability to work or your working hours?
Have you any convictions (other than spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?)
Do you need a work permit to take up employment in the U.K.?

Section 2 - Education

Starting with the most recent, please list any education, qualifications and / or training.
In the format MM/YYYY.
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Section 3 - Work History

Please list your recent work history. We want to know about your work experience, paid and unpaid. Please include your current/previous employment, voluntary work, community activities and time spent caring for dependents. Starting with your current employment, please state name and address of employer(s) and/or voluntary agencies and describe main tasks, responsibilities and achievements.
In the format MM/YYYY.
Hours/week*
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Section 4 - The Gap Year Role

Please answer the following questions.

Section 5 - References

Referee 1 (Professional e.g. teacher / tutor / pastor)
Referee 2 (Other leader e.g. Church group leader)
Additional Information
Can we approach your referees before an offer is made?
Is your church supportive of your application to Edinburgh City Mission (ie would they be willing to take an active interest in our work and pray for you in your role?)

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (click to expand)

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Application

Section 1 - Personal Details

Please note: you must currently live in or near to Edinburgh if you wish to volunteer with Edinburgh City Mission.
Address
Do you speak any languages other than English?

Section 2 - Role

In what part of the work of Edinburgh City Mission would you be interested in volunteering? (Pick up to 3)
Do you have a Full UK Driving Licence?
Have you had any accidents, regardless of fault in the last 5 years?
NB - This will help us check your details with the DVLA and reduce the number of questions we need to ask you later.
Please tick your available days.

Section 3 - Belief

For some of our volunteer roles we require the volunteer to have an active Christian faith. Please tick which of the following applies to you.
Do you currently attend a church?

Section 4 - References

We will take up references once we’ve agreed a suitable volunteering role. Please provide us with the details of someone who has known you in a professional capacity for more than a year. For example, someone you have volunteered for, an employer or a teacher.
Additional Information

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand that any false information or deliberate omissions will disqualify me from employment or may render me liable to summary dismissal. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (Optional - click here)

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